Walk to Work Music: Rocket Man

It’s been a few years since I’ve done one of these. In early March 2020, I was standing in a high rise office building in Pittsburgh. I’d been following the Covid pandemic on the Johns Hopkins tracker since January 20 when the first few cases turned up in California, Toronto and Oklahoma (yeah, that was weird. I think I still have screen shots.)

Early morning Pittsburgh.

Anyway, the floor was crowded and I had just finished chemo and radiation and I looked at ceiling and ventilation panels and thought, “hmmm… should I be here?”. That was the day I got sent home.

Fast forward three years. A lot has changed. For one thing, I’m super healthy now, except for a wonky thyroid. (I’m taking care of it) My thigh gap disappeared but I can run 2 miles 3-4 days a week and I have a new standing desk at home where I can get a barre workout between meetings. I have a much better job than I did then (I love my team) though there are still some outstanding issues that keep me up at night.

Lately, there have been hints and allegations that we would be returning to the office. First it started as 1 day a month. Then more recently, “try 1 day a week”. Then “Aw, hell, make it 2 days a week, just for fun!”

I’m kinda into it. I like to be around people. Staying at home is convenient but it can turn you into a recluse. So, bring it on.

There have been some changes. The bus company changed names. And now you can pay for your fare with your iPhone. I did it today. ApplePay all the way. What’s also new is the smell of early morning blunts. Not mine. I was concerned about a contact high and whether I would trail a silage of some fine medical grade specialty right past the security desk. My favorite coffee shop is open again and I’m fueled with my large sugar free vanilla skim latte. Ahhh, life is good.

I walked from the bus stop to some classic rock and jumped in the elevator just as Elton hit the chorus.

Whoosh!